xxn THE DEER 373 



appeared to be the summit. There were a few hinds within view, 

 and some young harts, but they were not in a position to disturb 

 the stag, who was far away out of sight, being on our left, well 

 below, upon the hill-face. 



There was neither caution nor science required, therefore we 

 made a quick advance, marching parallel with the glen, about a 

 quarter of a mile on the right of the incline above the Tilt. 



When arriving at the position which I had roughly calculated 

 as above the spot where we had seen the stag, we turned to our 

 left, and came downwards, until we were in sight of Glen Tilt, 

 and we could see the carriages with our entire party waiting in the 

 road about a mile upon our right. The deer was not in sight. 

 This was exceedingly awkward, as it looked as though he had 

 suspected danger, and had departed. 



My men did not think so ; they thought that he had again lain 

 down when the carriages turned and were lost to view. It was 

 the party which had disturbed him, therefore he had again reposed 

 when the party was gone. 



In this opinion I agreed : we accordingly held the dogs in 

 readiness to slip immediately, and the gillie led the way. We 

 were not kept many minutes in suspense ; there was no doubt 

 that the stag had been lying down, as he suddenly sprang up 

 within 100 yards of us, and in the same instant the dogs were 

 slipped. They had viewed him immediately that he sprang up 

 from the heather and the broken surface of the hill-face. 



This must have been a lovely sight from the carriages, although 

 rather far for the unassisted eye. For a few seconds the stag 

 took up the hill, but the hounds ran cunning, and cut him off; he 

 now took a straight course along the face, towards the direction 

 where the carriages were waiting below. The hounds were going 

 madly and were gaining on him. I now felt certain that he could 

 not breast the hill at such a pace, therefore, instead of follow- 

 ing over the rough ground, we made all speed direct for the 

 bottom, to gain the level road. It did not take long to reach the 

 welcome solid footing, and away we went as hard as we could go 

 along the road, towards the direction of the carriages. As 

 we drew near, we could see the hunt. The deer had passed the 

 spot where our party was in waiting, but he now turned down the 

 hill towards the river, with the two dogs within a few yards of 

 his heels. Presently we lost sight of everything ; we pushed for- 

 ward, passed the carriages, which were empty, as everybody had 

 joined in the hunt, and after running about a quarter of a mile 

 down the road, we heard the bay, and shortly arrived at the spot 



